Team owner John Barnes has Ryan Briscoe in the car for this weekend's IndyCar Series race at Belle Isle Park, but Briscoe isn't available for the next two events due to 24 Hours of Le Mans preparations with Level 5 Motorsports.

But 2014 is another story, and Panther is in a tryout period for its next full-time driver. These must be considered the leading contenders:

Ryan Briscoe

Pros: He'll be available, he's won seven IndyCar races, and he would have been Panther's choice for a second Indianapolis 500 car if he hadn't chose to sign with Ganassi.

Cons: Crashed and finished 21st in his first "tryout" race for Panther on Belle Isle on Saturday. What have you done for me lately means something.

Tony Kanaan

Pros: An Indianapolis 500 champion who is the most popular driver in the series. Could be available given the recent struggles to find sponsorship.

Cons: Barnes would be taking a key asset away from KV Racing Technology, which is owned by someone he considers a close friend (Kevin Kalkhoven).

A.J. Allmendinger

Pros: He's shown to be even better than advertised, and he's adapted to IndyCar with ease.

Cons: Driver still seeks a NASCAR ride and walking away from Team Penske on this side of the sport wouldn't be easy.

Oriol Servia

Pros: He's a known entity, someone who has driven a Panther car for the past year, a leader with every team he's been with.

Cons: Has only one career win, but that won't be a deal-breaker.

Sebastien Bourdais

Pros: A four-time Champ Car champion has excelled in this series when his team, whether it's Dale Coyne Racing or Dragon Racing, has provided him a reliable car.

Cons: Doesn't seem to be Panther's kind of driver.

Townsend Bell

Pros: Knows the team, knows the sport, still can drive a race car. Would be great with the sponsor.

Cons: At 38, is he a driver for the present as well as the future?

Conor Daly

Pros: Young and talented, and he would be an asset for the future.

Cons: He's still focused on reaching Formula One.

Katherine Legge

Pros: She'd be popular with the sponsor -- National Guard -- and its soldiers, and she's shown fairly well in limited opportunities.